Halal and Haram

IV. Halal and Haram.

Halal items are allowed by Allah. Most foods in the world are Halal. Haram means forbidden by Allah. Haram foods are alcohol and other intoxicants, pork, carrion, most carnivorous animals, meat dedicated to idols.  For the meat of an animal, other than seafood, to be Halal for a Muslim, it must be slaughtered in a specific manner.  The process is called Dhabiha.  Basically it is a similar procedure to the Jewish method of kosher preparation.  Kosher meat is also allowed for Muslims, as per the Qur'an.  Some Muslims believe that "supermarket" meat and fast food meat is also halal, but Allah said in the Qur'an that the meat prepared by the Jews and Christians is allowed, whereas almost no one in America practices Christianity anymore, as it was practiced in ancient times.  Modern slaughtering techniques, with their attendant cruelty and unsanitary nature, do not pass the halal test for us.  It is a bit of a hardship but we believe in the prevention of cruelty to animals and modern slaughterhouses are places of tremendous cruelty.  There are detailed books on the subject.

There are also Halal and Haram ways to make money. Any business or activity that involves Interest-money is Haram as is any business involving gambling, alcohol, Haram foods or deceit.